The Ascension of the Lord-A

I Reading: Acts 1:1-11: He was lifted up while they looked on.

II Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23:He made Him sit at his right hand in heaven.

Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20: All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The Messiah’s Final Commission to His Disciples, Mt 28:16-20

Matthew began his gospel by proclaiming that the baby Jesus was the Son of David, the promised King of Israel (Mt 1:1-2). He now closes his gospel by proclaiming that the Lord Jesus possesses all power and authority in heaven and earth. The Lord Jesus had risen from the dead, and in the power of His resurrection His followers are to go forth proclaiming His glorious Kingdom.

In this great message, Matthew covers the great commission of the resurrected Lord, the King to whom all power and authority belong.

1. The disciples met Jesus in Galilee (v.16-17)

          a. They met on a pre-appointed mountain

          b. They worshipped Him

          c. Some doubted

2. He assured His followers of His power (v.18)

          a. Is a given power

          b. Is in heaven and earth

3. He commissioned His followers (v.19-20)

          a. To make disciples of all nations

          b. To baptize

          c. To teach all that He had commanded

4. He promised to be with His followers (v.20)

Thought: Society deteriorates and crumbles when it neglects the teaching and commandments of Jesus Christ.

Thought: The Lord ascended to the right hand of God, that is, to the position of sovereignty and power (Mk 16:19; Lk 22:69; Acts 1:9-11;2:36;5:31;Eph 1:20; Ph 2:9-11;Rev 5:12). The ascension assures (proves, confirms) that seven things are absolutely certain.

1. The ascension assures that God is, that He is alive and does exist. The fact that Christ was raised up from the dead and taken up into heaven proves that God is. Only God could do such things.

2. The ascension assures that Christ is God’s Son.

3. The ascension assures that heaven is real (Ph 3:20-31).

4. The ascension assures that the gospel is true.

5. The ascension assures that the Great commission is the call and mission of believers.

6. The ascension assures that power is available to carry out the Great Commission (Mt 28:18; Mk 16:20).

7. The ascension assures that we have a very special Helper in heaven, One who really loves and cares for us.

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SATURDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 16:1-10: Come across to Macedonia and help us.

Gospel: John 15:18-21: You do not  belong to the world because my choice withdrew you from the world.

The Relationship of Believers to the World: Persecution, 15:18-27

The relationship of true believers to the world is a bleak picture. The world hates true believers. The persecution involves abuse, murder, violence etc. Jesus wanted the believer to be informed and to know what his relationship with the world is.

1. The chilling reality: The world will be hate (v.18)

2. The unjustified reasons for the world’s hatred (v.19-24)

a. Because the believers are a new creation

b. Because the believers are identified with Christ

c. Because the world does not really know God

d. Because the world is convicted of sin

          1) The Lord’s message convicts

          2) The Lord’s life and works convict

3. The terrible guilt of the world: They are without reason (v.25)

4. The promise of victory over the world (v.26-27)

Thought: The “world” refers to the unbeliever: the unredeemed, the lost, those who have never trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The world stands for every person whose thoughts and lives are centred upon the flesh (food, clothes, money, immorality. Cp. Gal 5:16-21), evil and immoral thoughts (the lust of his/her eyes) and the pride of life/boasting and self-centredness (2Tim 3:1-5).

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FRIDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 15:22-31: It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and by ourselves not to saddle you with any burden beyond essentials.

Gospel: John 15:12-17: What I command you is to love one another.

The Relationship of Believers to Believers, Jn 15:12-17

How believers relate to other believers is of critical importance. Division will destroy a body of people quicker than any other single thing. Division can….

·        Destroy the body of Christ

·        Destroy the fellowship of believers

·        Destroy the witness of believers

·        Destroy the human soul seeking God

The relationship of believers to each other is of critical importance.

1. The supreme command of believers: Love one another (v.12)

2. The supreme standard of believers: The love of Jesus (v.12-13)

3. The supreme bond of believers: “friends” of Jesus (14-15)

a. Is conditional: “If”

b. Is based upon revelation: The words of the Father make known by Christ

4. The supreme purpose of believers: Chosen and appointed to go (v.16)

a. To go forth

b. To bear fruit

c. To receive of God

5. Conclusion: The supreme command repeated (v.17): love (agape love=sacrificial love) each other

Thought: Our love must be the sacrificial love (agape love) to love one another as God loved the world so much and gave His Son and Jesus loved us to save from sin and death by his supreme sacrifice on the cross.

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THURSDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 15:7-21: I rule that we do not make things more difficult for pagans who turn to God.

Gospel: John 15:9-11: Remain in my love, and let your joy be complete.

The Relationship of Jesus to Believers, Jn 15:9-11

Jesus has a very special relationship with believer, a relationship that delivers them from an existence that is barren, empty, lonely, unmeaningful and sad.

1. He has loved believers (v.9)

2. He has one great charge for believers: Continue-abide in His love (v.9-10)

a. Abiding is conditional

b. Abiding has a standard-the obedience of Jesus

3. He has one great purpose for believers: The completion of their joy (v.11)

Thought: Jesus Christ loves us because we God’s children, brothers and sisters, the household and family of God. He also loves us because we believe God, we earnestly seek God, we obey his commands and we deny self, take up our cross and die daily in order to follow Jesus (Lk 9:23).

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WEDNESDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 15:1-6: It was arranged that they should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the problem with the apostles and elders.

Gospel: John 15:1-8: Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bear fruit in plenty

The Relationship of Jesus to the People of the World, Jn 15:1-8

Jesus was facing the most terrible scene in all human history. All most all rejected him including his own disciple Judas betrayed him, Peter denied him three times and other disciples were to flee and desert him. Now Jesus  teaches us how to have a good relationship with God, Jesus and the world. In this passage Jesus saw a graphic lesson that the disciples needed to learn, the great lesson of “The Vine and the Branches”-the relationship of Jesus to the people of the world.

1. Jesus, the Vine; God, the Vinedresser; and man, the branch (v.1)

2. Unfruitful branches: Are taken away (v.2)

3. Fruitful branches (v.2-4)

a. Are pruned

b. The purpose for pruning

c. How branches are pruned

          1) By the Word

          2) By abiding, remaining

4. Unattached Branches (v.4-6)

a. Are by themselves: Not abiding or remaining, not attached

b. Cannot bear fruit

c. Do not understand the nature of bearing fruit in life: Can do nothing apart from Christ

d. Are doomed, gathered, thrown away, burned

5. Attached branches: Results and Promises (v.7-8)

a. Receive nourishment-answered prayers

b. Glorify God

c. Prove their attachment-discipleship

Thought: Bearing fruit means:

# righteousness (Rom 6:22, Phil 1:11, Col 1:10)

# godly character (Gal 5:22-23): the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

# converts (Rom 1:13): to turn their heart, mind and all works to God

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TUESDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 14:19-28: They gave an account to the church of all that God had done with them.

Gospel: John 14:27-31: My own peace I give you

The Source of Peace, Joy and Security, Jn 14:27-31

This passage covers and speaks the source of peace, joy and security.

1. The Source of peace (v.27)

a. The peace of the world

b. The peace of Christ

c. The source: Jesus only

2. The source of joy (Rejoicing, being glad) (v.28-29)

a. The return of Jesus to the Father (His death, resurrection and ascension)

b. The Father’s greatness

c. The confirmed faith

3. The source of security (v.30-31)

a. Jesus’ victory over the prince of the world

b. Jesus’ obedience to the Father

Thought: The believer will also be released from the sinful nature, the flesh, the world, the devil and the pressure of people, just as Jesus was (Jn 15:11).

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MONDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 14:5-18: We have come with good news to make you turn from these empty idols to the living God.

Gospel: John 14:21-26: The Advocate, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything.

The Holy Spirit: Who He is, 14:15-26

There are three great Scriptures that deal with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit at length.

1. The Identity of the Holy Spirit or who He is (Jn 14:15-26)

2. The work of the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:7-15)

3. The Power of the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:1-17)

The greatest help the believers are to receive is the very presence of God Himself in the person of the Holy Spirit. It is this that Jesus now reveals. He reveals the Holy Spirit, His identity, who He is (Jn 16:7-15 where Jesus reveals the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Holy Spirit in Rom 8:1-17).

1. Fact: If a person loves Jesus, he will keep His commandments (v.15)

2. He is the Counselor, the Comforter, the other Helper (v.16)

3. He is the Spirit of truth (v.17)

a. The world cannot accept Him

b. The believer does receive Him and know Him

4. He is the personal presence of Christ (v.18-20)

a. A spiritual presence not a physical one

b. A living and eternal presence

c. A living union between God, Christ and the believer

5. He is the very special manifestation of Christ within the believer (v.21-22)

a. The special presence is conditional: Must obey and love Christ

b. The special presence is questioned

6. He is the abiding presence of the Trinity (v.23-24)

a. Is conditional: Must love and obey Jesus

b. Is the love and presence of God and Christ

c. Is not given to those who do not love and obey Christ

d. Is assured by God Himself

7. He is the Holy Spirit, the Teacher (v.25-26)

a. The facts

          1) He is promised

          2) He is given by the Father in the name of Jesus

b. His purpose

          1) To teach the believer all things: both the words and life of Christ, both the truth and the life, both the  Word and how to live the Word, both the theory and practice, both the principles and conduct, both the morality and behaviour.

          2) To help the believer to remember all that has been taught in the Word of God, to help especially in the moments of trail when the truth is needed (1Cor 10:13, 2:13; Lk 12:12; Jn 14:26, 16:13; 1Jn 2:27).

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SUNDAY- 5^TH WEEK OF EASTER –A

 

I Reading: Acts 6:1-7: They selected seven men full of the Holy Spirit.

II Reading: 1Peter 2:4-9: But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood.

Gospel: John 14:1-12: I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus’ Death Delivers Troubled Hearts, 14:1-3

Jesus’ death delivers troubled hearts. The disciples had reason to be troubled. Several things had just happened that would disturb anybody of people. Divisiveness (Lk 22:24-30), desertion and betrayal (Jn 13:18f), separation from the Lord (Jn 13:33) and denying Jesus ( Jn 13:38) all these things grasp the impact of what Jesus was about to say. Jesus said that deliverance from trouble comes through five things.

1. Delivers through trust and belief (v.1)

2. Delivers through the hope for God’s house and its rooms and mansions (v.2)

3. Delivers through Jesus’ work (v.2)

4. Delivers through Jesus’ return (v.3)

5. Delivers through an eternal habitation with Jesus (v.3)

 

Another Outline: Jesus’ death delivers troubled hearts

1. His commandment: trust, believe in me (v.1)

2. His assurance: God has a house (v.2)

3. His departure: to prepare (v.2)

4. His great promise: to return (v.3)

5. His great purpose: an eternal reunion (v.3)

 

The Way  to God is by Jesus Alone, John 14:4-7

 

Jesus declared in unmistakeable terms how a person gets to God, and He makes it clear: there is no other way to God.

1. Jesus’ destination (v.4-5)

          a) The destination is known

          b) The way is known v.4

          c) Thomas’ contradiction and scepticism

2. The way to God is Jesus himself (v.6)

3. The destination is God (v.6)

4. The only way to God is Jesus (v.6)

5. The only way to God is now revealed-unmistakeably (v.7)

The Embodiment of God is Jesus Himself, John 14:8-14

 

This is one of the most astounding claims ever made-Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of God Himself.

1. Philip’s request-show us the Father, a dazzling sight (v.8)

2. The revelation: Jesus is the full embodiment of God (v.9)

3. The clear evidence (v.10)

          a. God’s presence

          b. Jesus’ Words

          c. Jesus’ works

4. The clear challenge: Believe the claim of Jesus (v.11)

5. The clear promises: Are conditional- to the person who believes on Jesus (v.12-14)

          a. The power to do great works

          b. The answer to all prayers

Thought: Note the contradiction and scepticism of the world even today. The world proclaims: “We do not know where God is, not really. Even if He exists, we can only seek Him the best we can, trying to find out just where He is. Every person must find and discover his/her own way and hope has found it. (Jn 8:19; 16:3; Acts 17:23; 28:27; Eph 4:18).

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SATURDAY- 4^TH WEEK OF EASTER -C

I Reading: Acts 13: 44-52: We must turn to the pagans.

Gospel: John 14:7-14: To have seen me is to have seen the Father.

The Embodiment of God is Jesus Himself, 14:8-14

Jesus Christ is the very embodiment of God Himself.

1. Philip’s request-show us the Father, a dazzling sight (v.8)

2. The revelation: Jesus is the full embodiment of God (v.9)

3. The clear evidence (v.10)

a. God’s presence

b. Jesus’ words

c. Jesus’ works

4. The clear challenge: Believe the claim of Jesus (v.11)

5. The clear promises: Are conditional-to the person who believes on Jesus (v.12-14)

a. The power to do great works

b. The answer to all prayers

Thought: God’s presence was proof that Jesus was the embodiment of God.

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FRIDAY- 4^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 13:26-33: God has fulfilled his promise by raising Jesus from the dead.

Gospel: John 14:1-6: I am the Way, the Truth and Life.

Jesus’ Death Delivers Troubled Hearts, 14:1-3

Jesus’ death delivers troubled hearts. The disciples had reason to be troubled and also the believers. So they need the words of encouragement and hope-the same deliverance from Jesus. Jesus said that deliverance from trouble comes through five things.

1. Delivers through trust, belief in me/Jesus (v.1)

2. Delivers through the hope for God’s house and its rooms or mansions (v.2)

3. Delivers through Jesus’ work (v.2)

4. Delivers through Jesus’ return (v. 3)

5. Delivers through an eternal habitation with Jesus (v.3)

Another Outline: Jesus’ death delivers troubled hearts.

1. His commandment: trust, believe in me (v.1)

2. His assurance: God has a house (v.2)

3. His departure: To prepare (v.2)

4. His great promise: To return (v.3)

5. His great purpose: An eternal union (v.3)

The Way to God is by Jesus Alone, 14:4-7

This passage is continuation of Jesus’ departure from this world. It is outlined separately because it is spurred on by another question, this one by Thomas (Jn 13:36) for the first question by Peter).

This is one of the most critical passages of Scripture. Jesus declared in unmistakable terms how a person gets to God, and He makes it clear: there is no other way to God.

1. Jesus’ destination (v.4-5)

a. The destination is known

b. The way is known

c. Thomas’ contradiction and scepticism

2. The way to God is Jesus himself(v.6)

3. The destination is God (v.6)

4. The only way to God is Jesus (v.6)

5. The only way to God is not revealed-unmistakeably

Thought: The destination of Jesus was “the Father” Himself. The believer has the same destination on “the Father.”

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THURSDAY- 4^TH WEEK OF EASTER -A

I Reading: Acts 13:13-25: God has raised up one of David’s descendants, Jesus, as Saviour.

Gospel: John 13:16-20: Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me.

The Prediction of the Betrayer: A Picture of Apostasy, 13:18-30

This is a clear picture of betrayal and apostasy, of a man who turns away from Christ to the world. It stands as a strong warning to every person who professes to follow Christ.

1. There is the heartbreak of betrayal (v.18)

a. A betrayer is not chosen

b. Betrayer is of the basest sort: eats with, yet turns away

2. There is the prediction of betrayal (v.19-20)

a. To assure that Jesus is the Messiah

b. To strengthen the dignity of the Lord’s call

c. To give assurance of God’s indwelling presence

3. There is the last chance given to the betrayer (v.21-26)

a. The betrayer’s presence exposed

b. Jesus’ distress

c. The disciples’ perplexity, nervousness and self-consciousness

d. Peter’s gesture for John to inquire further

e. John’s inquiry

f. Jesus’ indirect and merciful identification: the giving of a last chance

4. There is the warning against betrayal (v.27-30)

a. The evil possession

b. The charge: Act now

c. The deceiving of the disciples by the betrayer

d. The judgement: seen in the betrayer being separated immediately

Thought: The more a person thinks about sinning, the more likely he/she is to turn back.

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SAINT MATTHIAS, Apostle, Feast- 14^th  May

 

I Reading: Acts 1:15-17.20-26: The lot fell to Matthias and he was listed as one of the twelve apostles.

John 15:9-17: I shall not call you servants anymore; I call you friends.

Gospel: John 15:9-11: Remain in my love, and let your joy be complete.

The Relationship of Jesus to Believers, Jn 15:9-11

Jesus has a very special relationship with believer, a relationship that delivers them from an existence that is barren, empty, lonely, unmeaningful and sad.

1. He has loved believers (v.9)

2. He has one great charge for believers: Continue-abide in His love (v.9-10)

a. Abiding is conditional

b. Abiding has a standard-the obedience of Jesus

3. He has one great purpose for believers: The completion of their joy (v.11)

Thought: Jesus Christ loves us because we God’s children, brothers and sisters, the household and family of God. He also loves us because we believe God, we earnestly seek God, we obey his commands and we deny self, take up our cross and die daily in order to follow Jesus (Lk 9:23).

 

John 15:12-17: What I command you is to love one another.

The Relationship of Believers to Believers, Jn 15:12-17

How believers relate to other believers is of critical importance. Division will destroy a body of people quicker than any other single thing. Division can….

·        Destroy the body of Christ

·        Destroy the fellowship of believers

·        Destroy the witness of believers

·        Destroy the human soul seeking God

The relationship of believers to each other is of critical importance.

1. The supreme command of believers: Love one another (v.12)

2. The supreme standard of believers: The love of Jesus (v.12-13)

3. The supreme bond of believers: “friends” of Jesus (14-15)

a. Is conditional: “If”

b. Is based upon revelation: The words of the Father make known by Christ

4. The supreme purpose of believers: Chosen and appointed to go (v.16)

a. To go forth

b. To bear fruit

c. To receive of God

5. Conclusion: The supreme command repeated (v.17): love (agape love=sacrificial love) each other

Thought: Our love must be the sacrificial love (agape love) to love one another as God loved the world so much and gave His Son and Jesus loved us to save from sin and death by his supreme sacrifice on the cross.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com